Aberdeen, SD: Councilmember still pushing breed ban

Aberdeen, SD city council discussed revisions to their animal control laws last night. Although city council had indicated previously that the revisions would be breed-neutral, several councilmembers remain in support of a breed ban.

During the meeting, Councilmember David Bunsness offered up an amendment that would ban “pit bulls” from Aberdeen. The vote on the amendment was tied, with four councilmembers in support, and four against. Note that one councilmember did not vote (maybe not present).

Bunsness intends to try to pass the amendment again during the ordinance’s second reading (Monday, March 21). He only needs one more councilmember’s support.

Next city council meeting: Monday, March 21, at 5:30 PM at 123 South Lincoln Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Aberdeen pit bull ban comes up short

An amendment put forward to ban pit bulls in Aberdeen generated a 4-4 vote at Monday’s Aberdeen City Council meeting. The amendment did not pass because it failed to obtain a majority.

The amendment was offered up by David Bunsness, who said it was patterned after a law in effect in a Colorado city.

The amendment would have made it unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell within the city any pit bull. Those dogs would include American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers. Existing owners of pit bulls would be able to keep their dogs under restricted conditions.

The amendment was put forward as the council considered the first reading of recommended changes to Aberdeen’s animal control ordinances.[…]

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